Phillip Brett
North Belfast · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Paula has been a diligent Chair who has championed the interests of victims and survivors. I personally thank her for her work on the Bill. I pay tribute to Committee members, who also dedicated their time to the Bill, and to our Committee staff.”
“At the outset, I pay tribute to the Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone for her heartfelt and valuable contribution. As you rightly said, Mr Deputy Speaker, her family will be very proud of the contribution that she has just made. <BR /> <BR />Today marks a truly significant moment.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am therefore delighted to report to the House that a U-turn has been secured. This year, the Twelfth has been promoted through Discover Northern Ireland's social media channels.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Bill will establish a statutory public inquiry alongside a redress scheme, both of which are important. Their establishment recognises that there is a responsibility not only to uncover truth but to acknowledge the profound harm that was caused.”
“I warmly welcome the progress that has been achieved in the promotion of the Twelfth of July and our wider Orange and Ulster-Scots traditions by Tourism Northern Ireland.”
“<BR /> <BR />Today's debate is not about rewriting history but about confronting history honestly. It is about recognising that vulnerable women and children were failed by institutions, by society and by the state.”
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“It is clear that there will need to be engagement from the Department for the Government to understand the unique operation of the energy sector in Northern Ireland. As a party, we will play our part in that. <BR /> <BR />I note the Minister's concern about decisions being made that impact on the devolved settlement here. I gently point out that those concerns did not exist for some Members when similar issues in relation to EU legislation were before the House. I have made those important points. My party will support the LCM.”
“The Department was unable to provide detail on how the energy company will work in Northern Ireland, although that was not the fault of the Department, which has sought that information from the UK Government. Nonetheless, Great British Energy will mean welcome investment in our renewable sector. In the absence of clarity from Whitehall, the Committee was unable to come to a final view on the LCM. <BR /> <BR />I will now speak as DUP spokesperson on the economy. As a party, we are happy to support the LCM that is before the House today. At the previous general election, the DUP set out our intention to explore how Northern Ireland businesses and projects with green and clean ambitions can better tap into UK-wide funding, supply chains and incentives.”
“The Department was unable, however, to clarify the degree of agency that the Department will enjoy in respect of directing the Great British Energy investment. That said, officials also advised the Committee that Great British Energy is expected to engage with key players in Northern Ireland as part of its role. <BR /> <BR />As the House is aware, Standing Orders generally require Statutory Committees to report on the devolved provisions in relevant legislation. The idea is that the Committee can inform Members' deliberations on the legislative consent motion (LCM) before them. The Committee's report on the LCM was therefore shared with Members last week. It provides commentary on Great British Energy and the potential overlap with devolved matters.”
“Brief written responses to the Committee's queries were provided a few days later. <BR /> <BR />It is evident that the new energy company that the Bill establishes is designed to undertake project development in order to develop new renewable energy capacity and local power plans that would make communities stakeholders in small and medium-scale projects. The energy company is also to develop, in partnership with the Crown Estate, new offshore wind capacity of up to 20 to 30 GW by 2030 and invest in ports across the United Kingdom. The UK Government have announced £8·3 billion of funding for Great British Energy over the course of the Parliament, including £3·3 billion for local projects.”
“My initial remarks will be made on behalf of the Committee for the Economy. <BR /> <BR />The Great British Energy Bill was introduced just after the general election in July 2024, and it is understood that the Minister for the Economy at the time engaged with His Majesty's Government at some length on the Bill's devolved aspects. It is understood that similar engagement took place for other parts of the United Kingdom with the devolved legislatures in Wales and Scotland. The then Minister, Conor Murphy, corresponded with the Committee about the Bill in September 2024, and the Department provided a departmental evidence session a considerable time later, on 8 January 2025, that included the related amendments that the Minister has just articulated to the House.”
“Although the funding may have been very high last year, that is not the limit of our ambition. I make it clear that we will continue to campaign unapologetically for bands across Northern Ireland to continue to receive the support that they need. I look forward to the Communities Minister looking favourably on further applications and ensuring that bands in every part of Northern Ireland and every corner of North Belfast get the support that they deserve.”
“My party has a proud record of supporting our marching bands, and I am absolutely delighted that our Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, has once again stepped up to the mark, awarding over £800,000 to 75 bands across Northern Ireland. That impacts not only on the bands, which have thousands of members, but on those who love to listen to our music, those who love to come out to celebrate our culture and those who come together to proudly remember our past. This party will continue to support those bands across Northern Irelan to ensure that they get the support that they deserve. I am particularly delighted that Pride of the Hill Carnmoney, which is marking its 40th anniversary, has received almost £10,000 this year. <BR /> <BR />As a party, we stand proudly with those bands to help them to secure the funding that they are entitled to.”
“Across Northern Ireland the marching band scene is at the cultural and social heart of our community. In every quarter and every village and every place that I represent in North Belfast, I am delighted by the work undertaken by our marching bands to preserve our unique history and culture, to bring together people of all ages and genders and to bring together a society in celebration of positive culture. <BR /> <BR />For many years, our marching band scene did not receive the support that it deserved; indeed, some previous holders of the Department for Communities portfolio stopped funding for our marching bands.”
“<BR /> <BR />When the Minister for the Economy speaks in the debate, it is important, although she has only been in office for a short time, that she sets out her strategy for supporting businesses in the here and now. It is important to have the 10-year tourism strategy that the previous Minister launched, and to have a "good jobs" Bill. If, however, we do not have providers to provide those services in 10 years' time due to the cost-of-doing-business crisis, and if we do not have employers who are able to grow and to offer further jobs and have a framework for good jobs, tourism growth will simply not happen. <BR /> <BR />I look forward to hearing the Minister outline what work she is going to do to support the vital hospitality sector. My party will support the motion.”
“<BR /> <BR />I can speak only to the motion in front of us, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. My party supports the motion, but we have concerns about Northern Ireland having separate VAT arrangements to other parts of the United Kingdom. We put forward an amendment, but it was not selected. I will not breach any rules by speaking to an amendment that we proposed, but the intent of the Ulster Unionist Party's motion is important. The Fiscal Commission, in an important body of work, highlighted the difficulties presented by having a stand-alone lower rate of VAT in Northern Ireland and outlined some of the difficulties that our Scottish counterparts encountered when they tried to do put forward similar views.”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. The Member for Upper Bann has perfectly articulated the challenges faced by our business community. That ties into the fact that the current Minister for the Economy, in her previous role as Minister of Finance, commissioned important work on the cost of doing business in Northern Ireland. She will know from representations that she received from me and from other members of the Committee for Finance that it is important to encapsulate all the cost mechanisms that are currently placed on businesses in Northern Ireland, because they look to their counterparts in the Republic of Ireland, where there are lower levels of corporation tax and VAT, and then to their counterparts in other parts of the United Kingdom, where they have the rate relief that we do not.”
“We share a land border with the Republic of Ireland, where the VAT rate is much lower than ours, but we also have businesses here that do not benefit from the same rate relief as businesses in other parts of the United Kingdom do. That is a double whammy for our hospitality sector, which continues —.”
“As I made clear last week in my Adjournment debate, and as the Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone has made clear today, it is the welcome that people are given in our pubs and restaurants that makes Northern Ireland a special place. It is the warm offering that those people receive that makes them want to come back again and again. We cannot have a tourism market in Northern Ireland if we do not have pubs and restaurants where our visitors can eat and drink and hotels in which they can stay. This point has been picked up slightly, but it is important to recognise that, in its current scenario, Northern Ireland has the worst of all worlds.”
“Hospitality businesses are not just recovering from the impact that the COVID pandemic had on them, but the impact on our hospitality sector of the changes that the Chancellor announced has been simply devastating. Members will have read newspaper articles or watched the news and seen that hotelier after hotelier and publican after publican are pausing plans for expansion or job creation because the increase in employers' National Insurance contributions and changes to the living wage are completely unsustainable for them. <BR /> <BR />It is important that we recognise the importance of the sector to the economy in Northern Ireland.”
“I thank the Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone for proposing the motion. <BR /> <BR />Since the Minister for the Economy took office, less than a week ago, she has responded to two debates on hospitality and tourism. That is because Members from all sides of the House recognise the importance of our tourism sector and of the job creation in the hospitality sector that has been vital to the growth of our economy. The fact that tens of thousands of jobs in every corner and community of Northern Ireland rely on the hospitality sector has been articulated, and it is important that the House recognises the context in which the sector is operating.”
“Minister, you may not agree, but there clearly is public concern about this issue in relation to the Police Ombudsman, be it the failure of her office to release the Kingsmills report, a 17-month police investigation by West Midlands Police or, now, a damning court judgement. Do you, as Minister of Justice — it is a simple yes or no answer — have confidence in the Police Ombudsman?”
“I am hugely disappointed. That £150 million fund was announced 12 months ago, and it seems that all we have had is engagement at official level. Minister, I know that you have only just taken up post, but we need political engagement in order to push the funding forward. We talk about a lack of funding in the Assembly and the Executive, but that £150 million is sitting ready to be spent. Will you state what action you will take, as Minister, rather than that which officials will take?”
“Amateur boxing is vital to my constituency of North Belfast, but I speak to representatives of the clubs daily, and their confidence in the leadership of those organisations is completely shot. Once again, we have a case concerning religious discrimination against a Protestant. What proactive steps will you take, Minister, to ensure that, regardless of class or creed, all young people in Northern Ireland have access to the same opportunities?”
“I am sure that the Minister will agree that the best small town in the North Belfast constituency is Glengormley. Just before Christmas, the Minister kindly listened to representations to award £2·5 million to Glengormley town centre for a public realm scheme. Does the Minister stand over that important commitment to regeneration in that part of North Belfast?”
“On her first time answering a debate in the Assembly in her new role, I urge her to recognise how vital the night-time economy is, particularly in the capital city, which is the driver of economic and cultural growth. <BR /> <BR />Belfast is unrecognisable from the city that I grew up in and is being transformed daily. Now, however, we have the opportunity to step forward to support the most vulnerable and those who pioneered the growth of our economy and to step forward with a settlement that supports the continued growth of Belfast and the wider region. <BR /> <BR />I thank Members for attending the debate this afternoon.”
“Offering a standard fare on those services as well as accepting concessionary fares, which have been built into Translink's business case, is also an important step towards removing barriers and rewarding repeat travel. As I said, I am delighted that that business case has been produced. The cost of £600,000 to provide year-round night-time public transport and support the most important sector of the night-time economy in our capital city is not much to ask for out of an annual Budget for this place of £18·6 billion. <BR /> <BR />We have the opportunity to remove barriers, to invest in the city that, I believe, all representatives in the Chamber love and to support and grow an industry that, for many years and in the darkest times, invested in the city when others would not. I congratulate the Minister again on taking up her post.”
“As I become older and greyer in the beard, one of the first things that I think about on a night out is how I will get home. When I first went out to enjoy the capital city, I did not give that a thought, but we clearly need to continue to try to make progress on that. The service is environmentally friendly and provides employment opportunities. It makes the city more accessible and attractive to those from outside the greater Belfast area, ensuring that people from all over Northern Ireland can enjoy all that Belfast has to offer. <BR /> <BR />Developing that market requires consistency, dependability and building habits. Therefore, in my view, what is needed today is a commitment to providing year-round services rather than simply over four weekends.”
“It offers opportunities to expand Belfast city centre's economy in the evening far beyond its seasonal peaks. It provides safety, reassurance and dependability for those wanting to enjoy the night-time economy.”
“Christmas 2024 was its most successful period to date, when 17,000 passengers took advantage of the rail and bus network, coming from all over Northern Ireland to enjoy the night-time economy of Belfast. I am delighted that, thanks to repeated pressure and requests, Translink has now produced and submitted a business case for the creation of a year-round late-night public transport service. That has the potential to have a huge, transformative impact for those who wish to enjoy the night-time economy and, more importantly in some ways, those who work in the night-time economy.”
“Michael's love for Belfast has been an infectious disease, I will say, in the most positive way in trying to ensure that our capital city gets the investment that it deserves. I would expect nothing less from a good, solid north Belfast man who has never forgotten his roots. <BR /> <BR />In all the conversations that I have had with stakeholders and representatives, the single biggest issue that I have heard that we, as an Assembly and Executive, must focus on in order to support the growth of the night-time economy is to support late-night public transport in Belfast. For many years, Translink provided the Nightmovers service. It was a huge success, despite operating on only four weekends over a month.”
“The group, which brings together three of Belfast's business improvement districts along with key stakeholders, has a great mission statement to which I believe all Members can sign up. Its aspiration is for Belfast to have the best night-time economy on these islands. We should all try to match that ambition. <BR /> <BR />Before moving on to the immediate interventions that I believe that we should take forward, I congratulate the recently appointed night tsar, Mr Michael Stewart, who has been a dedicated champion of Belfast and our capital city's night-time economy for many years. Michael invested in Belfast when others did not. He ensured that Belfast had a nightlife when others tried to stop us from having one.”
“I think of people such as Willie Jack, Niall McKenna and Michael Deane, who have invested their time and money, even in Northern Ireland's most difficult times, to try to transform the city of Belfast that we all love. I also pay tribute to the people who work in the night-time economy. Sometimes they work in the most difficult circumstances, and sometimes they are unseen, but they ensure that our overseas visitors receive a warm welcome when they come here. They include those who ensure that, when we enjoy the night-time economy, we get home safely, and those in the emergency services who support the work of the night-time economy. <BR /> <BR />Belfast's ambition is clear. It is captured perfectly by the Purple Flag group, which has, once again, secured purple flag status for Belfast.”
“The night-time economy is much more than simply pubs and restaurants. In particular, I draw Members' attention to the report that was produced this time last year by Free the Night, the only charitable organisation in the United Kingdom that is dedicated to creating a safe, progressive and culturally rich environment for nightlife. It has made a number of important recommendations to which the Minister should pay attention. <BR /> <BR />I pay tribute to those who have invested not just their time but their money in transforming our city. People like us, who represent this city, and people from further afield have stepped forward for Belfast.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Northern Ireland Night-Time Commission, which was created by Hospitality Ulster and the Night Time Industries Association, advocates for businesses and has been to the fore in lobbying the Finance Committee, the Economy Committee and their respective Ministers on some of the local levers that we can and should use. We now need the Department for the Economy, which, a number of months ago, stated its intention to publish research into the value of the night-time economy here in Northern Ireland, to publish that research and produce a list of key recommendations that each Department can take forward. <BR /> <BR />I pay tribute to those organisations that, across our city, continue to champion the vital importance of our arts and the cultural vibrancy of the night-time economy.”
“That has already had a negative impact in our capital city: investment plans that were programmed for expansion by businesses have been paused; cultural venues and attractions have been forced to reduce their opening hours, as they can no longer afford to pay staff for full-time employment; and those from our most vulnerable communities who are trying to access work have had limited opportunities. I take this opportunity to thank all those who have invested their time and effort in trying to mitigate some of those impacts.”
“The impact that they have on the material well-being not just of our economy but of our people must not and should not be underestimated. Official figures published last year show that, across Northern Ireland, the night-time economy accounts for 40,000 employees and that almost 5,000 separate businesses, the length and breadth of the Province, engage in the night-time economy, with an annual value of £3·3 billion. <BR /> <BR />Across the United Kingdom, unfortunately, the COVID pandemic and rises in National Insurance and in the cost of living have cost the night-time economy a huge amount. That will only be further exacerbated by the decisions taken in the Chancellor's autumn statement that will tax businesses to death.”
“It is that unique mix of our people, our product and our place that makes Belfast so special. The night-time economy is a critical driver not just of economic growth but of cultural vibrancy and community cohesion in Belfast. It is about the places where we share food and drink with our friends. It is the warm hospitality shown to our visitors that brings tourists back in their droves. It is the cultural enrichment of our society that breaks down stereotypes and captures the emotions of our people. I am sure that contributions from Members across the Chamber will highlight the fact that we have some amazing pubs, restaurants, arts venues, cultural attractions and retailers that make Belfast what it is today.”
“This time last year, I made my maiden speech, in which I said that the Assembly will be judged not on its simple return but on its ability to deliver for our citizens, not just in North Belfast but across our capital city. I want to use this Adjournment debate as an opportunity to highlight some of the important factors in Belfast's night-time economy, recognise the challenges that the sector faces and the ongoing work that it is doing and highlight some of the work that we, as an Assembly and an Executive, can achieve. I have no doubt that the new Minister, whom I congratulate on taking up her post, shares the desire to support the night-time economy in Belfast. <BR /> <BR />The economic, cultural and social fabric of our city is defined by our night-time economy.”
“Thank you very much indeed, Mr Deputy Speaker. I start by thanking the Members who have come along here this evening and the stakeholders from across Belfast who have been in touch with me about the issue since it appeared in the Order Paper. The genuine interest from across the political spectrum and all sectors of our night-time economy shows the importance in which the issue is held. I genuinely believe that a partnership approach to how we try to secure some important improvements to the night-time economy here in Belfast should be the model that we use moving forward. <BR /> <BR />This week marks one year since the return of a devolved Government in Northern Ireland.”
“We will support the Alliance amendment, showing the true progressive nature of my party.”
“The Minister made some important remarks. They showed his commitment to young people across Northern Ireland. As has rightly been highlighted, he is not in charge of FE colleges. From my perspective, I wish that the Minister of Education were in charge of FE colleges. I wish that Members who want to see additional funding in the Department of Education, as suggested in the motions that they continually table, would speak to their Executive colleagues to ensure that my Minister's bids are met, because no Minister makes better use of public funds than the Minister of Education.”
“When Ms Nicholl's party decided to be against academic selection, that teacher resigned from the party. Maybe that is why I ended up in the DUP.”
“I will turn to a few comments that Members made. First, I highlight Michelle Guy's contribution. Michelle represents Lagan Valley, not Strangford. I wrongly besmirched her when I said that last week. She rightly highlighted the vital work that is being done, particularly by Alma White and Caleb's Cause. It is vital that we recognise that in the Chamber. <BR /> <BR />I disagree with Ms Nicholl's point about her party's aversion to academic selection. I did not want to bring that into the debate, but I proudly stand with grammar schools in North Belfast and with parental choice in Northern Ireland. My party will continue to support young people's right to have that choice. Indeed, my politics teacher at school was an Alliance Party member who was active in East Belfast.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Alliance Party's amendment is an important addition. It recognises the important role of the Department for the Economy. As the true progressive party in the Chamber, we will not push our very good amendment to a Division, and we will support the Alliance amendment. That shows that the progressives are really on these Benches.”
“I struggle with the justification from the party opposite as to why it does not want to include the Department for the Economy in the discussion. We are talking about reviewing the funding model for post-16 or sixth-form colleges, but what do we mean when we talk about reviewing the funding levels? Are we increasing them? If so, will the Finance Minister award the bids that the Education Minister continually makes for a whole range of sectors in his Department? Are we going to decrease funding levels? If so, why are we decreasing them, and what are we awarding that funding to? If we want to see fewer sixth forms across our schools, does that mean that we need an increase in the funding for our FE colleges? If so, how can we do that without having a discussion with the Department for the Economy?”
“We are blessed to have three of the best providers of higher education here in Northern Ireland. However, university education is no guarantee of a successful career. I think that I may be the perfect example of that: I went to university, but many people will say that my career choice was not the most successful. It is important to recognise that choice for our young people is vital. We need to listen to what young people want to do, and think about how we can help them to ensure that they make the best decisions in life. It is not our role as policymakers to shut down or limit the opportunities that are open to our young people; in fact, we should give them the skills and ability to make the best choices. <BR /> <BR />As I said, there has been useful discussion across the House.”
“Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Speaker. I thank the signatories to the motion and all Members who have spoken in the debate. It has been a useful discussion, particularly with Apprenticeship Week, which was ably namechecked by Ms Nicholl this morning during Members' statements, beginning yesterday. It is an important opportunity for us to highlight all the career and educational pathways that exist for our young people. <BR /> <BR />As Members have, rightly, articulated, the economy and education sectors of our world are vastly different and continue to change very quickly. It is vital that government policy keeps up so that we can upskill our young people for the future. Of course, our universities will continue to play a vital role in the economic and educational life of Northern Ireland.”
“The Minister may be aware that the North Belfast constituency is covered by two local government authorities: Belfast City Council and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council. Despite being only streets apart, the quality of service offered to ratepayers in the two jurisdictions is miles apart. The rates of recycling in the Antrim and Newtownabbey end far exceed those in the Belfast City Council end. Has the Minister given any consideration to trying to encourage a uniformity of policy across all councils in Northern Ireland so that, regardless of postcode, people have access to the same service? Ultimately, the ratepayers pay the same bill.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is also an exciting year for the group because we have just secured new premises to ensure that it can have the resources and facilities to continue its amazing work. I take the opportunity to say, "Well done, ladies".”
“Often, the awards are given to large community and voluntary organisations that have huge backers and, indeed, a huge funding pot. Day and daily, those women fundraise the money that they need to support their community on their own. Those women give freely of their time, after working during the day, to ensure that every person who calls Glengormley "home" has a community outlet to enjoy. <BR /> <BR />The community of Queen's Park is a proud working-class community. Never in its wildest dreams did it think that it would be recognised at the heights of Buckingham Palace. However, through the work and dedication of those ladies and their countless volunteers, the community will finally get the recognition that it deserves. It is fitting that I take the opportunity on the Floor of the Assembly to congratulate them on that.”
“The King's Award for Voluntary Service is the highest accolade that can be awarded by the monarch to community and voluntary organisations in the United Kingdom. I was absolutely delighted that the amazing Queens Park Women's Group was announced as a recipient of that award this year. <BR /> <BR />Forged just 15 years ago by two formidable and amazing women, that community group has gone from strength to strength. First formed to tackle antisocial behaviour in Glengormley, the group has expanded to work with older people, invest in skills and ensure that no person in Queen's Park and, indeed, the wider Glengormley area is left behind. Those two formidable ladies, Sharon and Ena McTaggart, have given freely of their time for the past 15 years to make Glengormley the best place that it can be.”
“I congratulate the Minister on her appointment. <BR /> <BR />Minister, you have made more public comment on the impact of the storm than your predecessor did, and you have been in place for only two hours, so I congratulate you on that. <BR /> <BR />There will clearly be an interest from the private sector in Project Gigabit, in which public funding will be rolled out to the providers. I am sure that the companies interested in availing themselves of that public funding will look well on a Minister wanting to speak to them to see what action they will take. Will you outline what steps you, personally, will take, Minister? Officials do important work, but we need political leadership at this stage, so will you outline to the House what steps you, as Minister, will take today to contact those companies?”
“Minister, I thank you for your statement and commitment to the controlled sector. Will you confirm that, despite biased political media and naked sectarianism by some parties in the House, you will continue to treat all aspects of our education system with fairness and equality, as you have done since taking office?”
“— is about to be awarded. Minister, other parties in the Chamber talk the talk about ensuring fairness and equality. Do you agree that that shows that this party walks the walk?”
“Minister, it is a good day for fairness and a great day for equality. The people of North Belfast are sick to the back teeth of languishing on waiting lists while they see those who engage in anti-community activity rushed to the top of the housing selection scheme, particularly when a new social housing allocation —”